Shah blames Congress for non-passage of OBC panel bill

Rohtak, Aug 3 (IANS) BJP President Amit Shah on Thursday squarely blamed the Congress for the non-passage in the Rajya Sabha of a bill that sought to give constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes.

He accused the Congress of harbouring an “anti-OBC mindset” and said the bill was not passed due to the Congress opposition.

“The BJP government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is committed to the welfare of the backward classes and held out an assurance that a bill on according constitutional status to the OBC Commission will be passed in Parliament at any cost,” Shah told the media in this Haryana town, 70 km from Delhi.

“Since 1955, people belonging to the OBCs have been demanding constitutional recognition to the commission but due to the anti-OBC mindset of the Congress, the bill could not be passed in the Rajya Sabha.”

“The bill had been passed by the Lok Sabha but the Congress forced certain amendments in the bill, as a result of which it could not be passed in the upper house. If incorporated, these amendments would defeat the very purpose of the bill,” he added.

Shah said the Congress remained adamant on amendments as it did not want the bill to be passed.

“Welfare of the people cannot be ensured merely by making tall claims. The Congress should work for the poor’s interests by rising above party politics,” he added.